Our Engine Design Committee was invited to Pierce Manufacturing, located in Appleton, Wisconsin for a pre-construction meeting prior to starting the build on our three new Fire Engines.  The committee spent two full days reading over specifications, clarifying ever detail with Pierce engineers and representatives.  We got to tour two of Pierce’s manufacturing facility’s where the apparatus are literally built from the ground up.  Amazing to see over 150 pieces of fire apparatus in every stage of the build, built by super friendly craftsman, mostly by hand.  The assembly lines and metal fabricator lines were spotless with the employee’s more than eager to showcase their work and explain every stage of the build process.  Our Pierce representatives, Paul Grondalski and Bill O’Connor were super hosts, treating each one of us as their personal guests.  Really was trip of a lifetime!  After seeing Pierce’s manufacturing facilities and build process, it is pretty easy to see why Pierce has the reputation and market share in being the leading Fire Apparatus manufacturer.  Our Engines should be ready for delivery around March or April if everything goes as planned.  (Photo’s by Deputy Germaine, Chief Craig Weston and Firefighter Gary Weston)